Side Sleeper Pillow for Surgery

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a substantially “W” shaped pillow, a pillow that is comprised of two half moons on either side of a center support strip. The contour pillow was specifically designed for a woman&#39;s body and offers comfortable support for a woman&#39;s chest area following chest surgery or breast augmentation. The application side of the pillow is placed against a woman&#39;s chest and the pillow supports tender post surgical areas. The side wings rest comfortably under each arm reducing pain and swelling. When movement is restricted and healing muscles and incision sites are supported and protected, there is less pain. The pillow helps a woman rest more comfortably during recovery, helps her to get off of her back faster after surgery, and helps her to sleep in her favorite positions as soon as possible. Quality sleep speeds healing and reduces overall recovery time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

This application claims priority over Provisional Patent No. 61/463757 filed in February of 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the process of post-surgery discomfort and pain after chest surgery or breast augmentation. Specifically, it is a “W” shaped pillow, comprised of two half moons on either side of a center cleavage support strip, with two side wings that rest comfortably under each arm. The pillow is designed to wrap around the contour of a woman's chest and the support and protection that the pillow provides for the chest area, the cut muscles and the incision sites helps to reduce pain and promote restful sleep, thereby improving recovery time.

2. Background of the Invention

The Side Sleeper Pillow for Post Surgery Recovery was designed specifically for a woman's comfort after surgery. It is the answer to achieve optimal comfort and recovery following all types of chest surgeries including breast cancer and open heart surgery. After any type of chest surgery a woman must remain on her back for a certain period of time that is dictated by a woman's pain level. Eventually, a woman will be able to sleep in her most comfortable position, but without the pillow, the pain will keep her trapped on her back four to eight weeks following surgery. The most popular complaint after chest surgery is the inability to rest or sleep comfortably through the night. For a life-long side or stomach sleeper this can be especially difficult. The pillow addresses these concerns. The pillow can help a woman manage her pain and help her sleep on her side sooner. A good night's sleep leads to waking up feeling refreshed and energized. The end result is quality sleep, faster healing, and improved recovery time.

The pillow fits the contour of any breast size and provides the necessary breast support for maximum comfort regardless of the type of surgery or procedure. The woman holds the pillow in place against her chest and wraps the side wings under each arm. The underarm support of the side wings can reduce swelling and pain caused by Lymphedema. In the case of a unilateral mastectomy, the pillow can support the remaining breast by supporting all sides and keeping the breast stationary. Pain and discomfort are reduced by restricting movement of the remaining breast(s), supporting cut muscles, and protecting sensitive incision sites. If there are no remaining breasts, which is the case after a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction, the flat side of the pillow without the center support strip can be used to support the chest area to achieve the same results.

Sudden movements without a supportive pillow in place can cause piercing pain while tender muscles are healing. Getting in and out of bed can be very painful during this time and it is very difficult to move from a reclined position to standing upright without help. Trying to find a comfortable position and struggling with multiple pillow formations several times per day can be painful and frustrating. The pillow makes struggling with multiple pillow formations obsolete. Furthermore, holding the pillow firmly in place against the chest area increases mobility and independence by allowing her to move freely without help from someone else.

Pain after chest surgery can be considerable in some cases. One study of women who had a variety of breast cancer operations found that nearly half the women reported some level of pain after breast surgery for several years. After chest surgery it is common for surgeons to prescribe pain medication. Another benefit provided by the pillow is the reduced reliance on medication. When a woman feels less pain and discomfort she can reduce dosages, extend the time between dosages, and discontinue the medication sooner.

The pain relief provided by the pillow's support of the chest area and healing muscles allows a woman to find comfortable resting or sleeping positions, gives her the option of moving from her back to her side faster, helps her fall asleep more easily, and promotes quality sleep throughout the night. A good night's sleep results in more energy each day which speeds healing and reduces recovery time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The manner in which these objects and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached specification.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the pillow suitable for a woman's body according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is the top plan view of the pillow of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the side plan view of the pillow in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an electronic drawing of the complete Side Sleeper Pillow for Post Surgery Recovery.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flat back side of the pillow according to the invention.

FIG. 6 a identifies the application side of the pillow according to the invention.

FIG. 6 b identifies the center cleavage support strip.

FIG. 6 c identifies the side wings of the pillow.

It is to be noted that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. A pillow suitable for a woman recovering from chest surgery wherein the pillow is comprised of:

-   -   a. A “W” shaped pillow with two half moons that conforms to a         woman's shape and contours, and surrounds and provides full         support for one breast or both breasts simultaneously.     -   b. A “W” shaped pillow with two half moons which are divided by         a central cleavage support pad.     -   c. The flat back side of the “W” shaped pillow, does not have a         central support pad, and is designed for when both breasts have         been removed after a bilateral mastectomy, or when there is an         incision running down the middle of the chest after open heart         surgery.     -   d. The outer side wings of the “W” shaped pillow provide support         for the outside portion of the breasts and rest comfortably         under each armpit for support to reduce pain and swelling.     -   e. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the main body, being         malleable, has a structural element for keeping the shape of the         contours of a woman's breasts.     -   f. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein said structural         element has a sturdiness which will support the contour of both         breasts and will flex to the shape of the woman. It will also         return to its original state when not in use.     -   g. The pillow according to claim 1 has an hour glass shaped         center support strip which supports the inside of both breasts         to fit the contour of any woman's breast.     -   h. The flat back side of the pillow according to claim 1 has no         center support strip to accommodate surgeries where both breasts         have been removed or there is an incision site running down the         center of a woman's chest.     -   i. The application side of the pillow is made of a softer         material as to provide comfort.     -   j. The back side of the pillow is made of a firmer material as         to provide strength and rigidity.     -   k. The outer side wings of the pillow provide support for the         outside top portion of each breast; they rest comfortably under         each arm pit, and wrap around the sides of the patient's body         and are held in place by the woman's arms.     -   l. The outer side wings of the pillow connect to the top side of         the half moons which provides a cut out and wraps around each         breast providing comfort and support to restrict movement.         Summary of the Invention 

1. A pillow suitable for a woman's body comprising of: a. A “W” shaped pillow with two half moons that conforms to a woman's shape and contours, and surrounds and provides full support for one breast or both breasts simultaneously. b. A “W” shaped pillow with two half moons which are divided by a central cleavage support pad. c. The flat back side of the “W” shaped pillow, does not have a central support pad, and is designed for when both breasts have been removed after a bilateral mastectomy, or when there is an incision running down the middle of the chest after open heart surgery. d. The outer side wings of the “W” shaped pillow provide support for the outside portion of the breasts and rest comfortably under each armpit for support to reduce pain and swelling.
 2. The pillow according to claim 1, wherein the main body, being malleable, has a structural element for keeping the shape of the contours of a woman's breasts.
 3. The pillow according to claim 2, wherein said structural element has a sturdiness which will support the contour of both breasts and will flex to the shape of the woman. It will also return to its original state when not in use.
 4. The pillow according to claim 1 has an hour glass shaped center support strip which supports the inside of both breasts to fit the contour of any woman's breast.
 5. The flat back side of the pillow according to claim 1 has no center support strip to accommodate surgeries where both breasts have been removed or there is an incision site running down the center of a woman's chest.
 6. The application side of the pillow is made of a softer material as to provide comfort.
 7. The back side of the pillow is made of a firmer material as to provide strength and rigidity.
 8. The outer side wings of the pillow provide support for the outside top portion of each breast; they rest comfortably under each arm pit, and wrap around the sides of the patient's body and are held in place by the woman's arms. 